Methods and Systems for Soliciting an Answer to a Question

ABSTRACT

A question-and-answer application with an “ask-to-answer” feature is described. The ask-to-answer feature enables any user to solicit an answer to a question from one or more users. Upon soliciting one or more users for an answer to a particular question, a message may be directed to the one or more users. The message may include a copy of the text of the question and may provide a mechanism enabling the one or more users to pass on answering the question. Subsequent to the solicitation, the question page may include a notification with information about the solicitation, including information identifying the group of users who have been asked to answer the question and the number of times the one or more users has been asked to provide an answer.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/668,140, filed May 7, 2018, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to data processing techniques. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to methods and systems for enhancing the quality of user-generated content for presentation via a question-and-answer service by enabling users of the service to directly solicit an answer to a question from another user and/or from a group of users.

BACKGROUND

Many online or web-based applications and services rely partially, and in some cases almost entirely, on user-generated content—that is, content generated by the end users of the particular application or service. The success of such applications and services is heavily dependent upon the ability to attract and retain users who are willing to participate by generating content that is to be shared with other users. One particular type of application or service for which this holds true is an on-line question-and-answer service. In general, a question-and-answer service is a service that allows its end-users to post questions, post answers to questions, or simply browse the questions and answers that others have posted. From the perspective of its users, the usefulness of a question-and-answer service or application depends significantly on the extent to which meaningful answers are provided to the questions being posted.

SUMMARY

In some embodiments, a computer-implemented method is provided. The method comprises identifying a message associated with a requesting user. When the message is identified, a group of recommended users are selected based on a credential and past response behavior. The method further comprises receiving user input associated with a requesting user, the user input identifying one or more recommended users to whom a message is to be communicated, the message including a solicitation for an answer to a question. The method further comprises communicating the message. The method further comprises presenting a web page including the question. The web page includes a notification indicating that the one or more recommended users have been solicited for an answer to the question and a number of solicitations for an answer to the question that the one or more recommended users has received.

In some embodiments, a system is provided. The system comprises one or more processors. The system further comprises a non-transitory computer-readable medium including instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations including the steps of the above method.

In some embodiments, a non-transitory computer-readable medium is provided. The computer-readable medium has stored thereon instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations including the steps of the above method.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example, and not limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a simple relationship diagram illustrating how some of the various elements and participants of a question-and-answer application are related to one another in a particular embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a system-level block diagram illustrating some of the system components and functional modules used in implementing a question-and-answer application consistent with an embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are flow diagrams representing methods, consistent with an embodiment of the invention, for facilitating and enabling a user of a question-and-answer application to solicit another user for an answer to a question;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are flow diagrams representing methods, consistent with embodiments of the invention, for presenting a user, who has been solicited for an answer to a question, with a request or solicitation message that asks the user to answer a question;

FIGS. 7 through 12 illustrate various user interfaces, and portions of user interfaces, for use in methods and systems for facilitating the solicitation of an answer to a question from a user of a question-and-answer service, consistent with embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a machine in the form of a computer within which a set of instructions, for causing the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein, may be stored and executed; and

FIGS. 14 through 18 illustrate user interfaces for use in methods and systems for facilitating the solicitation of an answer to a question from a user of a question-and-answer service, in accordance with some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Methods and systems for enabling a user of a question-and-answer service to directly solicit an answer to a question from another user are described. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the various aspects of different embodiments of the present invention. It will be evident, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details.

A question-and-answer application or service provides an online forum where users can post questions, post answers to questions, or simply search for and review questions and answers that others have posted. To aid in the overall organization and presentation of information, a question can be associated with one or more topics representing, for example, a subject matter to which the question relates. Take for example the question, “What is the population of San Francisco?” This question may be assigned to the topic, “San Francisco.” As users post questions for others to answer, users can designate each question as being related to one or more existing topics, or users can create and designate new topics. As such, a question-and-answer application is an information repository of user-generated content that is organized and presented in a relatively simple and intuitive manner. An individual web page showing all questions related to a particular topic may be referred to as a topic page, whereas a web page showing an individual question, and any associated answers to the question, is generally referred to herein as a question page.

To encourage users to share and exchange information, and to increase overall participation in a question-and-answer application, a question-and-answer application may enable users to share information with one another. For example, the user interface of a question-and-answer application may include a user interface element (e.g., a button or link) that, when selected, prompts the viewing user to provide contact information (e.g., a name, an email address, a telephone number) of a user with whom the information is to be shared. Any number of communication mechanisms might be used to share information in this manner, including, but limited to: email, instant messaging, SMS or text messaging, some proprietary messaging system, as well as any other similar messaging systems. In some instances, the message communicated to the user will contain a copy of the actual content. In other instances, the message may simply include a selectable link (e.g., a Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) or Uniform Resource Locator (URL)) to the relevant content. In this manner, a requesting user may share with a second user and/or a group of users an unanswered question, a question for which there are one or more existing answers, a particular answer to a question, or some other related item of information.

In one particular scenario, a requesting user may share a question with a second user whom the requesting user believes to be particularly well-suited to provide an answer. Stated differently, a user may share a question with another user with the expectation that the receiving user provide an answer to the question. Alternatively or additionally, a user may share a question with a group of users, with the expectation that one or more users from the group will provide an answer. However, while sharing information in this manner is certainly useful, it may or may not actually encourage or persuade a user to take a particular action, such as to provide an answer to a question. For instance, if a user receives a private and direct message from another user, such that the message includes a question, or a link to a question, the recipient may choose to simply ignore the message and not provide an answer to the question.

Various aspects of the inventive methods and systems described herein aim to increase the likelihood that a user and/or a group of users, when requested to answer a particular question, will be encouraged to actually provide an answer. For example, consistent with some embodiments of the invention, when a user solicits an answer to a question from another user or a group of users, the message communicated to the other user or the group of users includes a specific call to action, requesting that the recipient of the message provide an answer to the question. In some instances, the message may be formatted to include a copy of the actual text of the question, a link to the question page for the question, as well as a user interface element, such as a text input box, in which the recipient can enter or input his or her answer to the question. In addition, consistent with some embodiments, when a requesting user solicits an answer to a question from a second user or a group of users, the solicitation is made public.

For example, subsequent to the solicitation, the question page for the question can include a notification displayed next to or near the question indicating that a particular user has been solicited for an answer to the question. The notification may also include, for example, a name and picture of the user who has been solicited to answer the question. Selecting the name and/or picture of the user who has been asked to answer the question may cause some portion of the user's profile or biographical information to be displayed. If several users have solicited a particular user for an answer to the same question, the notification may indicate the number of times that the particular user has been solicited to answer the question. In some embodiments, the notification may also identify the individual user or users who have solicited the recipient for an answer. This information may be displayed in connection with the notification, or as a result of detecting a certain event, such as a mouse-over event.

As another example, the question page for the question can include a notification indicating that a particular group of users have been solicited to answer the question. The group can be, for example, an interest group that provides a space within the question-and-answer service to discuss a particular interest. In this example, for an interest group that has been solicited to answer the question, the question page can display the name of the interest group and/or a picture associated with the interest group. As another example, the group can be users with similar backgrounds, where the users' backgrounds may be derived, for example, from questions the users have answered, topics and/or questions the users follow, other users that the users follow, and/or the users' profile information, among other things. In this example, the question page can display text indicating that the question has been directed to users having a particular background. For example, the question page can display the string “Asked of users who: . . . ” followed by a string describing the background of users being asked to answer the question (e.g., “go to Disneyland more than twice a year” or “often answer questions about amusement park rides,” etc.). Other aspects of the inventive subject matter are set forth below in connection with the description of the various figures.

FIG. 1 is a simple relationship diagram illustrating how some of the various elements and participants of a question-and-answer application are related to one another in a particular embodiment of the invention. For instance, as illustrated in FIG. 1, a user 10 of the question-and-answer application may follow another user 12, a topic 14, or a question 16. As used herein, the concept of “following” is somewhat analogous to the concept of subscribing in a subscription-based model. When a user follows another user, there is no implied personal relationship between the two end-users. For instance, a requesting user may follow a second user simply because the requesting user believes the second user is particularly insightful with respect to a particular topic of interest. By “following” another user, a user can be automatically informed of activities of the other user. If, for example, user A is following user B, when user B posts a question or an answer to a question, user A will be notified of user B's posting activity. Similarly, if a user elects to follow a particular topic, as new questions are assigned to the particular topic, the user can be automatically notified of these new questions. In yet another example, if a user follows a particular question, as new answers are posted to the particular question, the user will be notified of the new answers.

The concept of “following” may be thought of as a unilateral relationship, because it can be achieved at the desire of only one user. This is in contrast to the concept of two users being “connected” (e.g., in a social networking context), which typically implies a personal relationship between the users. Two users may be “connected” when each user is following the other—a bilaterally defined relationship. In some embodiments of the invention, the interactions that the users are allowed to have with one another may be controlled to some extent by the type of relationship that exists between the users, as that relationship is defined by the question-and-answer service, or some externally-hosted social network service. For instance, with some embodiments, a requesting user may only solicit an answer to a question from another user if the requesting user is following the other user, or if the requesting user is being followed by the second user Similarly, with some embodiments, the requesting user may only be allowed to solicit an answer to a question from another user if the users are connected—that is, each user is following the other. In yet other embodiments, users may be able to solicit an answer from one another regardless of any pre-existing system-defined relationship between the users.

In some examples, a user 10 can also be associated with an interest group. An interest group is a group of users who are interested in discussing a particular subject. The subject can be a topic, such as “amusement parks” or a question, such as “What are the best amusement parks in California?” In some examples, the question-and-answer service can provide a space in which the interest groups can discuss a particular interest. For example, the question-and-answer service can include a message board or forum for the discussion. In some examples, users can start interest groups. In some examples, the question-and-answer service can suggest to the user 10 interest groups that may be of interest to the user, based on the user's activity in the question-and-answer service. In these and other examples, the user 10 can join the interest group, and once the user 10 is a member of the interest group, the user 10 can join the discussion. In some examples, the interest group may be moderated, such that another user (referred to as a moderator) approves each new member of the group. In some examples, members of an interest group can be automatically notified when a user posts a message to the group. In some examples, the user 10 can follow an interest group, instead of or in addition to joining the group. Following the interest group without joining the group can mean, for example, that the user 10 can read messages posted to the group but cannot participate in the discussion.

In some examples, interest groups can also follow users, questions, and/or topics. In these examples, questions and/or answers posted by a user that is followed by the group can automatically be posted to the group discussion, or can be available for viewing from interest group's space. Similarly, answers to the questions and information posted to the topics can be automatically posted to the group discussion and/or be quickly accessible from the group's space.

In some embodiments of the invention, notifications may be communicated to a user by simply including the relevant content in a landing page or data feed displayed to the user. For example, when a user first provides his or her authentication information (e.g., username/password), the user may be presented with a personalized home page or landing page with content that is customized for the user. This content may be selected to include information regarding the users, topics and questions that the particular user is following. Additionally, in some embodiments, notifications may be communicated in near real-time to a user via any number of messaging mechanisms, to include real-time dynamic data feed updates (e.g., on a web page), email, SMS or text messages, instant messages, and others. In some embodiments, a user may elect to be notified of certain activities or events on a per-question, per-topic or per-user basis. For instance, a user may elect to receive a notification when a new answer is posted to a particular question that the user is following.

Referring again to FIG. 1, a topic 14 may have a summary 18 that provides a summary or some additional description of what subject matter is encompassed by the particular topic.

Similarly, a question 16 may have a summary 18 that provides some description or additional context for the question. In some embodiments, the summary 18 for topics and questions may be user-editable by all users, while in other embodiments, only certain users will have the authority to edit a summary. For instance, in some embodiments, only the person who posted a particular question may be authorized to edit the summary for that particular question. In some embodiments, users may be assigned roles that determine various content or access privileges the users have with respect to different topics or questions. For instance, certain users may be assigned an “editor” role for a particular topic, thereby providing those users with editing privileges that are different from those of a regular user.

In various examples, an interest group can also have a summary. The summary can include, for example, a description of the subject that the group is discussing and descriptions of any conclusions or points of contention that the members of the group may have reached. In some examples, the summary can also include information about the members of the group, such as a list of the members, biographical information about the members, and/or an indication of how active each member is in the group discussion. The summary can further server as a repository for any other information about the interest group.

In addition to a summary 18, a question 16 is associated with one or more answers 20. For instance, after a user posts a question, other users of the application are able to provide answers to the question. In some embodiments of the invention, any user is allowed to post an answer to a particular question. As such, a question may be associated with or have multiple answers. In some embodiments, both questions 16 and answers 20 may have comments. For instance, a user may provide a textual comment that is associated with a question 16 or an answer 20. A comment associated with an answer, for example, could provide some clarification about a particular answer, or some aspect of the answer. Other users can then view the comments when viewing the question and/or answers.

In some examples, interest groups can also post answers to a question. For example, the members of the interest group can, within the space provided to them to do so, discuss the question, and determine one answer that can be provided as the answer for the whole group. The interest group's space can include, for example, a voting system that allows the members of the group to vote for an answer that best represents the group's collective knowledge.

In some embodiments of the invention, an answer 20, including one provided by an interest group, has or is associated with votes 24. For example, users can vote up or vote down a particular answer based on whether the user finds the answer helpful in view of the particular question. For instance, if a user believes that a particular answer to a question is a good answer, the user can select a button or other graphical user interface element to vote for the answer.

Similarly, if a user believes that a particular answer is not helpful in light of the question, the user can vote down the answer, for example, by simply selecting a button or other graphical user interface element to indicate that the answer is not helpful. As described in greater detail below, with some embodiments, when a requesting user solicits an answer to a question from a second user and/or a group of users, and the second user, a user from the group, or the group as a whole, provides an answer, the requesting user's solicitation may be automatically converted to a vote for the answer. In some embodiments, the number of votes for and against an answer are used as inputs to an algorithm that determines how answers are to be displayed when presented to a user. For example, the votes for and against an answer may simply be tallied, such that a vote for the answer offsets a vote against the answer, and the answers with the highest vote tallies are displayed in the most prominent positions—typically, at the top of a list of relevant answers. With some embodiments, a vote by a particular user may be deemed as more important, for example, as based on the particular user's profile information, and as such, the particular user's vote may be given more weight than a vote by other users.

By providing a forum that includes questions, answers, comments and votes, the question-and-answer application encourages meaningful discussion about a whole host of subject matters, in part, by enabling users to interact with the application in a variety of ways. For instance, some users may desire an entirely passive experience, and can therefore simply browse for, and read, questions and answers on topics of interest. Some users may desire an experience including a moderate level of participation, and as such, these users can vote up or down various answers on topics of interest, and possibly provide commentary. Others may desire to participate more actively, and will elect to post questions and answers to questions—particularly when specifically called upon to do so by another user.

FIG. 2 is a system-level block diagram illustrating some of the system components and functional modules used in implementing a question-and-answer application or service consistent with an embodiment of the invention. As illustrated in FIG. 2, in some embodiments, a question-and-answer application is implemented as a web-based application having application logic 30 residing at one or more processor-based computer servers 32. At least some of the servers 32 include a web server component 34 for serving data (e.g., documents or web pages) to a conventional web browser application 36 residing and executing at a client computer 38. In addition, or as an alternative, the web server 34 may utilize one or more web-based protocols to serve content to non-web browser clients, such as a web-based mobile application residing and executing on a mobile device, a set top box, or some other computing device.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, a client computer 38 executes a web browser application 36 to access the web-based question-and-answer application. In various alternative embodiments, the client computer 38 may be a mobile computing device, to include: a laptop, mobile phone or tablet computer. As such, in some embodiments, the application may have a user interface that is customized for display in a browser, or mobile application, of a mobile device. Furthermore, with some embodiments, the client-based application may not be browser-based, but instead may be customized to suit the particular operating system of the device on which it is executing. For instance, a customized application may utilize one or more application programming interfaces that are unique to the particular device and operating system on which the customized application resides and executes.

The question-and-answer application logic 30 is shown in FIG. 2 to include content posting logic 44, ask-to-answer logic 46, and messaging and notification logic 48. In various examples, one or more of the content posting logic 44, ask-to-answer logic 46, and/or the messaging and notification logic 48 can be implemented using software modules that can be executed by one or more processors of the web server. In general, the content posting logic 44 enables users to post questions, answers and comments, and other content items. The ask-to-answer logic 46 facilitates a feature referred to herein as an ask-to-answer feature. Accordingly, the ask-to-answer logic 46 enables various functionality associated with enabling a requesting user to solicit other users for an answer to a question that has already been posted. The messaging and notification logic 48 operates in conjunction with the content posting logic 44 and the ask-to-answer logic 46 to facilitate the generation and communication of messages and notifications, for example, such as those that may pertain to the solicitation of an answer to a question. Of course, the application logic 30 may include a number of other logical components to perform a variety of other tasks and functions beyond the immediate scope of the present inventive subject matter. As such, to avoid obscuring the inventive subject matter in unnecessary detail, these various functional components have not been included in FIG. 2.

In some embodiments, some of the various functional components of the question-and-answer application, including some of the various software modules, may be distributed across several server computers, providing application reliability and scalability. For instance, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the database management server 40 is shown to reside on a separate server computer. However, in other embodiments the database management server 40 might reside and execute at the same server as the application logic 30 and web server 34. In any case, the database management server 40 facilitates the writing and reading of data stored in tables of a database 42. The database 42 can store, for example, information for users, interest groups, topics, questions, answers, summaries, votes, comments, and any association between the preceding (e.g., whether users are following other users or questions, etc.) In some alternative embodiments, other data structures may be utilized in addition to, or in place of, database tables.

Consistent with some embodiments, the question-and-answer service is a stand-alone service accessible via its own unique address (e.g., URL or URI). With some embodiments, the stand-alone service may leverage its own social layer, or a social layer provided by an externally-hosted social network service. Accordingly, various relationships between users, as determined or defined by the question-and-answer service or an externally-hosted social network service, may be utilized to customize the functionality and features of the question-and-answer service. For example, certain interactions between users may be controlled based on the relationships that exist between the users, as those relationships are defined by an externally-hosted social network service. Alternatively, with some embodiments, the question-and-answer service may be one of several applications or services that are associated with, and provided by, a social network service. For instance, the question-and-answer service may be accessible via the same address or domain by which users access a social network service, such that the question-and-answer service is hosted by the same entity providing the social network service.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram representing a method for facilitating and enabling a user of a question-and-answer application to solicit an answer to a question from another user, consistent with some embodiments of the invention. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the method begins at method operation 50 when a question-and-answer service presents to a user a question page for a question. For purposes of this example, the user to whom the question page is presented is shown in FIG. 3 as “USER A”. The question page displays a question that a user has posted, and in addition, the question page displays a user interface element, such as a link, a button, a text input box, a selector, or some other graphical element, with which a user can interact (e.g., by selecting, or entering input). In general, this user interface element enables the user (e.g., USER A) to solicit an answer to the question from another user and/or a group of users. An example of a question page consistent with an embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 7, which shows a user interface element in the form of a textual link, with the label “ASK TO ANSWER” 126.

Referring again to FIG. 3, at method operation 52, the question-and-answer service detects an event or interaction with the user interface element (e.g., element 126 in FIG. 7), by a user (e.g., USER A). For example, in some embodiments, when a user selects the button or link on the question page that enables the user to solicit an answer to a question from another user, the selection is detected by the question-and-answer service when a request is communicated from the client application (e.g., a web browser application) to the server on which the question-and-answer service resides, enabling the server to respond by manipulating the user interface displayed at the client application. When the selection of the user interface element is detected, at method operation 54 the question-and-answer service prompts the user to provide some user-input identifying a user or a group of users to whom the question is to be directed. For example, in some embodiments, a text box or some other user interface mechanism for receiving input is displayed. This is illustrated in, and described in connection with, FIGS. 8 and 9, which show an example of a user interface that enables the receiving of user-input (e.g., user interface elements 130 and 132), consistent with an embodiment of the invention.

In some embodiments, the user may choose a user or group of users to whom the question is to be directed by searching for a name (e.g., Jacques Cousteau), or for a piece of credential text (e.g., “marine biologist”). In some embodiments, the user may choose a user or group of users to whom the question is to be directed by choosing from a list of algorithmically recommended users. In some embodiments, the user may choose a user or group of users to whom the question is to be directed by selecting a topic that the question is tagged with (e.g., “marine biology”), then choosing from a list of algorithmically recommended users who have written about that topic before or are likely to write about that topic.

Algorithmically recommended users may be presented to the user in the form of a ranked list of users that may be generated by a machine learning algorithm. In some embodiments, the algorithm may be a supervised learning model trained to predict the expected quality score of an answer that the recommended user will write given that the recommended user is shown to the requesting user as a suggestion. In some embodiments, the algorithm may rank recommended users based on a combination of how likely the requesting user is to pick the recommended user, how likely the recommended user is to write an answer in response, and how high quality that answer will be.

In some embodiments, the machine learning algorithm may be a gradient boosted decision tree. This model may take many inputs or features to make good predictions.

Exemplary features include whether the recommended user follows the requesting user, the recommended user's past answer count in the topic(s) of the question, the textual similarity between the question at hand and other questions that the recommended user has answered, and the recommended user's historical answer rate in the topic(s) of the question. In some embodiments, not every recommended user is scored by this model, and instead only a set of candidate recommended users may be scored. Candidates may be selected in a variety of ways, such as users who have written answers before in the topic(s) of the question, users who have written about similar topic(s), users who have expressed interest in the topic(s) in other ways (credibility text, past activity, etc.), and users who have answered similar questions.

The ranked list of recommended users may be generated in the same way in some embodiments, except the candidate users may be restricted to users who have written about the chosen topic. In some embodiments, some candidates may also be included who are likely to write about the chosen topic based on their activity (credibility text, past interaction with topics, etc.).

After receiving the user input or user selection identifying the user or group of users to whom the question is to be directed (e.g., USER B in FIG. 3; when the question is direct to a group of users, USER B represents a user in the group), at method operation 56 a determination is made as to whether a user to whom the question is to be directed has previously passed on providing an answer to the question. For instance, when the question is directed to a user, if the user to whom the question is being directed has previously been asked to answer the question, and has previously indicated a desire to pass on answering the question, then at method operation 58, the user who is soliciting the answer (e.g., USER A) receives a message indicating that the user to whom the question has been directed has indicated a desire to pass on answering the question.

However, if the user to whom the question is being directed has not previously indicated a desire to pass on answering the question, at method operation 60 the user to whom the question is being directed (e.g., USER B) is sent a message that specifically indicates that the requesting user (e.g., USER A) would like the user (e.g., USER B) to provide an answer to the particular question. The message may be, for example, an e-mail, a mobile push notification, an application notification, and/or the like. The content of the message and the means by which it is communicated may vary depending upon the particular implementation. For instance, with some embodiments, the message may be communicated via a proprietary notification mechanism, such that a notification message is shown on a web page displayed to the user (e.g., USER B). Two examples of such messages are shown, and further described in connection with, FIGS. 11-A and 11-B. In some embodiments, a user may be allowed to specify that the request message soliciting the answer is to be communicated anonymously, such that the identity of the person who is requesting the answer to the question remains private.

In some embodiments, a notification is not sent to the user to whom the question is being directed. For example, sending a notification for every single answer request could annoy receivers and cause them to stop responding to requests or even to stop using the application.

Thus, algorithms may be used to decide which requests a receiver is most likely to be interested in answering and only send notification for those requests. In some embodiments, this may be a machine learning model trained using supervised learning.

In some embodiments, a model may be used that is trained to predict whether a receiver will write an answer if he or she receives a notification. The model may output a score and a notification may be sent if the score is above a cutoff score. This cutoff score may be determined based on the user's past answering behavior. To prevent extreme receiver behavior, each receiver may also have a maximum number of requests that they may receive per week. This “capacity” may also dependent on past answering behavior, i.e., the more they have answered, the higher their capacity.

In some embodiments, a model may be used that is trained to predict whether a receiver will click on a notification. A notification may be sent if the model's output score is above a cutoff score. This cutoff score may be chosen based on data analysis to try to maximize the user's lifetime answers. In some embodiments, reinforcement learning may be used to choose the cutoff score automatically.

These models may be gradient boosted decision tree models in some embodiments. Other than the reinforcement learning cutoff score algorithm, cutoff score and capacity/throttling algorithms may be heuristic algorithms that have been tuned via A/B testing.

Returning to method operation 56, when the question is directed to a group of users, in some examples, when the group has previously indicated a desire to pass on answering the question, then, then, at method operation 58, the user who is soliciting the answer receives a message so indicating. The group of users can be an interest group, in which case the group, as a whole, may have indicated a desire to pass on answering. The group of users can alternatively be users with a similar background, in which case the method proceeds to operation 58 only when all the users in the group have previously passed on answering the question.

With some embodiments, a user can direct a question to any user of the question-and-answer service, and as such, a list of users will be automatically populated with names selected from the entire community of users, so long as those names match the user input. In some alternative embodiments, a user may be limited in directing a question only to some subset of the entire user community, such as those users with whom the user has established a unilateral relationship (e.g., by “following” another user), or a bilateral relationship (e.g., where each user follows the other). In such a scenario, the list of names dynamically updated for selection would include only those names satisfying the system-defined criteria. In some embodiments, a user can enter contact information for a person who is not currently a user of the question-and-answer service. For example, by entering an e-mail address, telephone number, or some other contact information, an appropriate message may be communicated to the person with a request to provide an answer to a question. The recipient of a solicitation message may be prompted to provide his or her name to be displayed with his or her answer, or alternatively, the recipient may be prompted to register as a user of the question-and-answer service as part of the process of providing the answer.

In some examples, the user can, alternatively or additionally, direct a question to any interest group. A list of interest groups can be automatically populated with the names of interest groups. The interest groups in the list can be determined from, for example, interest groups the user is a member of and/or is following and/or interest groups that are following and/or discussing the question and/or topic the question is related to. As another example, an interest group can be added to the list when a number of members of the group (e.g., 75% or another threshold value) have provided answers to the question.

In some examples, the user can, alternatively of additionally, direct the question to a group of users that have a common background. This group of users may not be members of an interest group, and may instead have other commonalities. For example, the users may frequently answer the same or similar questions, follow the similar questions and/or topics, follow the similar users, be members of the same or similar interest groups, and/or have similar information in their user profiles. In various examples, the commonality that is extracted is related to the question and/or topic. In these and other examples, the question-and-answer service can provide a brief description of a group, and display a list of these brief descriptions in the question page. For example, for the question “What are the most popular rides at Disneyland,” the question-and-answer service can identify and display groups of users such as “Users who go to Disneyland more than twice a year,” “Users who often post about Disneyland,” and “Users who used to work at Disneyland,” among others. The user can then select from among the brief descriptions.

In various examples, the question-and-answer service can enable the user to direct the question to multiple individual users and/or multiple groups of users.

At method operation 62, subsequent to communicating a request to answer a question to a user (e.g., USER B), the total number of requests to answer the question that have been received by the user is computed. For instance, the sum of all ask-to-answer requests that have been directed to a particular user for a particular question is computed so that it can be displayed in a notification on the question page for the question. An example of such a notification is shown in FIG. 10, with reference number 134. As another example, the sum of all requests that have been directed to a group of users can be computed and displayed on the question page, along with the name of the group or a description of the group.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram representing a method, consistent with some embodiments of the invention, for facilitating and enabling a user of a question-and-answer application to solicit an answer to a question from another user, when the other user has already been solicited for an answer to the question. In some instances, a particular user may have been asked by one or more other users to answer a particular question. Accordingly, the question page for the question will include one or more notifications that identify any users who have been solicited for an answer to the question, as well as the number of times each user has been solicited for an answer. Consistent with some embodiments, a user may interact with this notification (e.g., by selecting the notification, or some portion of the notification) to very quickly solicit an answer from a user who has already been solicited for an answer. An example of such a notification is illustrated in FIG. 10, with reference number 134.

The method begins at method operation 70 when a user (in this example, USER C) requests a question page for a question for which at least one user has already been solicited for an answer from another user (e.g., USER B). For instance, continuing with the example shown in

FIG. 3, when method operation 70 occurs, one can presume that USER A has already solicited USER B for an answer to the question on the question page requested by USER C. At method operation 72, the requested question page is presented to the requesting user (e.g., USER C). Because USER A has already solicited USER B for an answer to the question displayed on the question page, a notification will be included on the question page showing, for example, a picture and name of the user who has been solicited for an answer, as well as a number indicating the number of times that the particular user has been solicited for an answer. In addition, a user interface element may be displayed in connection with the notification, such that selection of the user interface element by USER C will automatically generate an additional request or solicitation, on behalf of USER C, directed to USER B and requesting that USER B provide an answer to the question. In the example notification 134 illustrated in FIG. 10, this additional user interface element is a check mark. Accordingly, at method operation 74, the question-and-answer service detects that a user (e.g., USER C) has selected the user interface element displayed in connection with the notification. In response, at method operation 76, the question-and-answer service computes or otherwise determines a tally of the number of users who have requested that the particular user associated with the displayed notification has been solicited for an answer to the question. Finally, at method operation 78, the notification displayed on the question page is updated to reflect the total number of times that the particular user associated with the notification has been solicited for an answer to the question.

Consistent with some embodiments, each individual solicitation for an answer to a question is converted to a vote for the answer that is provided by the person who has been solicited for the answer. For instance, consider again the example presented in FIGS. 3 and 4, in which each of USER A and USER C has solicited USER B for an answer to a question. When USER B provides an answer to the question, USER A's solicitation is automatically converted to a vote for the answer Similarly, USER C's solicitation is also converted to a vote for the answer.

In some embodiments, the number of votes that an answer receives may affect the order in which the answer is displayed relative to other answers. For instance, the answer with the most votes may be displayed in the most prominent position (e.g., at or near the top) of the list of answers. In addition, with some embodiments, when an answer is presented on a question page, the names of the users who solicited the provider of the answer to provide the answer may be presented in connection with the answer. Accordingly, if a particular answer gains notoriety for some reason, each person who solicited the answer may be recognized by the user community as well.

In various examples, a method similar to the method of FIG. 4 can be applied when a question is directed to a group of users. For example, when a user (e.g., USER C) requests a question page, when a group of users has previously been solicited to answer the question, the question page can display the name of the group of a description of the group. For example, when the group is an interest group, the question page can include the name of the interest group and/or a picture associated with the interest group. As another example, when the group is users with a common background the question page can include a description of the background. For example, the question page can include the text “Directed to users who go to Disneyland more than twice a year.” In these and other examples, the question page can also display the number of times the group of users has been asked to answer the question.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram representing a method for processing a user's solicitation for an answer to a question, and the reply provided by the user who has been solicited, consistent with an embodiment of the invention. At method operation 80, the question-and-answer service presents a message to a particular user who has been solicited to provide an answer to a question, such that the message includes a copy of the text of the question, and identifies the user or users who are requesting that the user provide an answer. The format and communication mechanism of the message may vary depending upon the particular implementation. Two example solicitation messages are shown in FIGS. 11-A and 11-B. For example, with some embodiments, the message to the user (e.g., USER B) indicating that the user has been asked to provide an answer may first appear as a notification on a web page displayed to the user. This notification, for example, may notify the user that he or she has received an email, or other message, from another user requesting an answer to the question. By selecting a user interface element (e.g., button or link) corresponding with the notification, the user will be directed to an email inbox and presented with a user interface including a text input box where the user can enter an answer. Alternatively, the user may select a link to the question page, where a text input box will be presented to the user, enabling the user to enter an answer to the question. Of course, alternative messaging mechanisms and message formats may be used to communicate the message to the user.

In examples where the question is directed to an interest group, the interest group can receive a notification of the request to answer the question. For example, the notification can be posted to the group discussion, possibly with the text of the question.

In examples where the question is directed to a group of users with a common background, each of the users in the group can receive a notification in a similar manner as is described above in method operation 80.

When the question is directed to a particular user, then at method operation 82, the question-and answer service receives text representing an answer to the question from the solicited user (e.g., USER B). The text may be received, for example, through the submission of a web-based form displayed to the user via an e-mail or web page. Finally, in some embodiments, at method operation 84, each solicitation for an answer to the question received by the user (e.g., USER B) is converted to a vote for the answer provided by the user. This final method operation 84 is an optional operation and may not be performed in all embodiments.

When the question is directed to a group of users, including interest groups, answers can come from one or more individual users in the group. When the question is directed to an interest group, one answer may be provided by the interest group as a whole.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram representing a method, consistent with some embodiments of the invention for processing a user's solicitation for an answer, when the user decides not to answer the question. The method begins at method operation 86 when the question-and-answer service presents a message to a user who has been solicited to provide an answer to a question.

The message includes a copy of the text of the question, or a link to the question page for the question. The user is then prompted to either provide an answer by entering text in a text input box, or indicate a desire to pass on answering the question, for example, by selecting a user interface element, such as a button or link. Accordingly, at method operation 88, the question-and-answer service detects selection of a user interface element that indicates the user has opted to pass on answering the question. With some embodiments, the user is offered the opportunity to provide an explanation as to why the user is passing on answering the question, for example, by providing explanatory text at a text input box, such as that illustrated in FIG. 12. Finally, at method operation 90, the question-and-answer service communicates a message to each user who had requested that the user provide an answer to the question. In some instances, when a user asks another user to answer a question after the solicited user has already passed on answering the question, the explanation as to why the solicited user has passed on answering the question will automatically be presented to the requesting user.

The method described above is similar when the question is directed to an interest group, and the interest group has determined not to answer the question. For example, the interest group can be presented with a message indicating a solicitation to provide an answer to a question. In some examples, the members of the interest group may reach a consensus not to answer the question, and may so indicate (e.g., a moderator may respond for the group). In some examples, a group moderator or administrator may have authority from the group to decide whether the interest group should pass on answering the question. In these and other examples, when the interest group elects to pass on answering the question, the method can include communicating a message to each user that solicited the interest group to answer the question.

FIG. 7 is a user interface diagram illustrating an example of a user interface for use with a question-and-answer application consistent with an embodiment of the invention. The example user interface shown in FIG. 7 is provided to convey an understanding of the inventive concepts described herein, and a particular context in which the inventive subject matter might be implemented. It will be readily appreciated by skilled artisans that the user interfaces illustrated herein are examples and that user interfaces differing from those illustrated herein may be applicable to the inventive concepts described herein.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, a header or banner section 100 is shown to include a text input box 102 where a user can enter a question, or alternatively, enter one or more keywords to be used in a search for a question, topic, user, or other item of content. Under the header section 100 is a portion of the user interface showing a question 104, and several topics 106 to which the question is currently assigned. For instance, in this example, the question is: “What are the most popular rides at Disneyland?” The topics 106 to which the question has been assigned include:

“Amusement Parks” and “Disneyland.” Next to the topics is an “ADD TOPIC” link or button 108 enabling a user to add a new topic to be associated with the question. In addition, a separate button or link 110, shown in FIG. 7 with text “ADD QUESTION DETAILS” provides the user with the ability to enter additional details about the question. Separate buttons or links exist for other user functionality, such as adding comments about the question, adding a follow-up question and flagging the question, for example, as being inappropriate.

In this example user interface, beneath the question 104 are two answers 112 and 114 provided by two different users. Associated with each answer is a name of the user who posted the answer, along with an indication of the number of people following that user. For example, the first answer 112 was posted by the user, John Smith, followed by one-hundred-twelve (112) users, while the second answer 114 was posted by Kate Johansen with no followers. Beneath each respective answer are buttons or links that enable a user to add a comment about an answer, or indicate that an answer was helpful or not helpful. In addition, to the left of each answer are two arrows for use in voting. For example, the arrow buttons (up and down) for the answer posted by John Smith are shown with reference number 116. The votes for and against an answer may be used in an algorithm that determines the order in which answers to a particular question are presented.

At the bottom of the example user interface in FIG. 7, there is a text input box 118 providing a user with the ability to submit a new answer to the question 104. For example, a user can type an answer in the text input box 118 and then hit the “SUBMIT ANSWER” button 120 to post the answer to the question-and-answer service. To make an answer anonymous, such that the posting user's name will not be displayed next to the answer, an anonymous button or link (e.g., labeled as “make anonymous” in FIG. 7) is provided.

In the right side of the user interface, there is a “FOLLOW QUESTION” button 122 that enables a user to subscribe to, or follow, the question. By following the question, the user will be notified when others post new answers to the question. Beneath the “FOLLOW QUESTION” button 122 are several questions determined to be related to the question 104 on the current question page. Selecting one of these questions will lead the user to the question page for the selected question.

In addition, to the right side of the example user interface shown in FIG. 7 are two user interface elements (e.g., buttons or links) labeled, “SHARE QUESTION” 124 and “ASK TO ANSWER” 126. The “SHARE QUESTION” button 124 enables a user to post the question, or otherwise direct the question, to other users, for example, via one or more social networking services, a proprietary email system facilitated via the question-and-answer service, or an externally hosted email system. Other sharing mechanisms may be possible as well. In general, sharing a question differs from what is referred to herein as the “ask-to-answer” feature in that there is no explicit call to action when simply sharing a question.

Next to the “SHARE QUESTION” button 124 is an “ASK TO ANSWER” button 126. The “ASK TO ANSWER” button 126 enables a user to solicit another user for an answer to the question. For instance, as described in connection with the method illustrated in FIG. 3, when the question-and-answer service detects that a user has selected the “ASK TO ANSWER” button 126, a user interface element, such as a text input box, is displayed, allowing the user to enter the name of a user, the name of an interest group, or a description of the types of users to whom the question is to be directed. An example of this (e.g., the text input box) is illustrated in FIG. 8 with reference number 130.

Referring now to FIG. 9, as a user enters a name in the text input box 130, a list of users 132 is automatically populated in real-time, responsive to the input entered by the user, with names matching the input provided by the user, allowing the user to select from the list a name of a user to whom the question is to be directed. In some embodiments, the list 132 may be populated with names selected from the entire user community. However, in alternative embodiments, the names may be selected to include only those persons with whom the user has some pre-defined relationship, for example, via a social networking service and/or the question-and-answer service. The matching algorithm used to match the user-input with user's names may analyze and match first names, last names, or other portions of a user's name. For instance, if a user enters the text, “drew”, the name “Andrew” may be displayed as a potential match.

In some embodiments, the question-and-answer service will automatically select the list of user's names to be included in the drop-down list 132 based on the user-provided input, and will then rank or order the names based on a variety of factors, such that the names of those users who are most likely to provide a meaningful answer to the question are shown first (e.g., at the top) in the list. For example, the names in the list 132 may be ranked, and then ordered, based on whether a user has a relationship with the requesting or soliciting user, such that those users with whom the requesting user has a relationship are shown in a more prominent position in the list. In some embodiments, those users who have previously answered questions on a topic to which the question being shared is assigned will be shown more prominently in the list. In some embodiments, users who have been recognized as experts on a topic, either through user endorsements or by some other means of recognition, are given greater weight in the ranking algorithm, and are therefore shown more prominently in the list. In some embodiments, users who are currently online—for instance, participating in an active user session with the question-and-answer service—are given greater weight in the ranking algorithm and are therefore shown more prominently in the list. These, and a variety of other factors, may be utilized when presenting a list of names for selection by the soliciting user.

Once a user identifies the name of a user to whom a question is to be directed, the user simply selects the name from the list and the question-and-answer service automatically communicates a message to the selected user, such that the message requests that the selected user provide an answer to the question. In addition, the question-and-answer service stores information associated with the solicitation so that such information can be displayed on the question page for the question in response to subsequent requests for the question page. This information may include, for example, the name of the user that has requested an answer to the question, the name of the user who has been requested to answer the question, the number of users who have requested that a particular user answer the question, and so forth.

In some embodiments, the question-and-service may analyze a variety of factors to recommend or suggest to a particular user the names of other users who may be well-suited to answer a particular question, or highly likely to provide an answer, if asked to provide an answer. For instance, such factors may include any one or more of the following, in various combinations: the relationship that exists between the users, the number of questions on a particular topic that a user has previously answered, the net number of positive votes that user's answers have received for a certain topic, a high correlation between the topics assigned to a question and the topics being followed by a user, and the designation or recognition of a user as a knowledge expert on a given topic. With some embodiments, the suggested users from whom a particular user might solicit an answer are displayed by default on the question page. Alternatively, the question page may include a user interface element (e.g., button or link), which, when selected, generates an additional user interface that presents the suggested users from whom the particular user might solicit an answer to a question. With some embodiments, when displaying the list of suggested users who might be solicited for an answer to a question, a topic-specific biographical statement pertaining to each suggested user may be presented along with the suggested user's name, to provide the viewing user with some additional information for use in assessing whether or not to direct a question to the user.

In some examples, the text input box 130 cans also be used to enter the name of an interest group. In these examples, a list of interest groups can be generated, automatically and in real time, and be displayed in response to text being input into the text input box. In some examples, a separate user interface element can be used for entering the names of interest groups and displaying a list of interest groups.

In some examples, the text input box 130 or another user interface element can be used to enter a description of a group of user to which to direct the question. The user interface element can enable input of text such as, “Parents with kids under 12 who have been to Disneyland” or something similar.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example user interface, consistent with some embodiments of the invention, for a question page of a question-and-answer service, where the question page includes a notification indicating that a user has been solicited for an answer to the question on the question page. For example, in the example question page of FIG. 10, there are two user interface elements, with reference numbers 134 and 136, which represent notifications that indicate a user has been asked, via the ask-to-answer feature, to provide an answer to the question on the question page. In some embodiments, each notification may be customized to show a picture of the person that has been asked to answer the question. In addition, the notification may display a number (e.g., number “3” in notification 134) that represents the number of people who have asked that particular user to answer the question. With some embodiments, each notification may also include or be associated with another user interface element, such as the check mark in the notification with reference number 134, which enables a user to very quickly request that the user provide an answer to a question. For instance, in the example of FIG. 10, by selecting the check mark shown with the notification 134, an additional request will be directed to the person represented by the notification 134 who has already been asked to answer the question by three other users. With some embodiments, if the user to whom the question page has been presented has been asked to answer the question, the notification may include or be associated with another user interface element, such as the “X” in the notification with reference 136, which enables the viewing user to pass on answering the question. For instance, if a user selects the “X” in the notification with reference 136, the user will be presented with a text input box and prompted to, optionally, provide a reason why the user is choosing not to answer the question. For instance, if a user selects the “X” in the notification with reference 136, the user may be presented with a user interface similar to that shown in FIG. 12. When the solicited user provides an explanation in the text input box 138 (of FIG. 12), and then selects the “PASS” button with reference number 140, a message including the user-provided explanation will be communicated to all requesting users who had requested that the user provide an answer to the question.

Although not illustrated in FIG. 10, consistent with some embodiments, one or more additional notifications may be displayed in connection with the notifications with reference numbers 134 and 136 to identify the users who have requested that the solicited user provide an answer to the question. In some instances, this information may be visible when a user manipulates the cursor or tracking device (e.g., mouse pointer) to hover over one of the notifications 134 or 136 (generally referred to as a mouse-over event.) For instance, when a mouse-over event is detected, additional information about the solicitations may be displayed, to include the names and or pictures of the users who have requested the solicited user to provide an answer.

In some examples, the user interface illustrated in FIG. 10 can alternatively or additionally display identification of groups of users to which the question has been directed. For example, the user interface can include an icon associated with an interest group, and/or the name of the user interest group. As another example, the user interface can include a text description of the background of users to which the question is being directed. In some examples, the user interface can also display the number of times a group of users (e.g., an interest group or a group of users with a common background) has been asked to answer the question. In these and other examples, a user who is viewing the question page can select the identification for a group of users, and be added to the count of users who have asked the group to answer the question.

FIGS. 11-A and 11-B represent portions of a user interface included in a message to a user who has been solicited by another user for an answer to a question. For example, the example shown in FIG. 11-A may be displayed as a notification on a web page. By selecting the question, the user is redirected to the question page for the question where the user can then provide an answer to the question. In some instances, such as that illustrated in FIG. 11-B, the message communicated to the solicited user will include a text input box allowing the user to provide an answer to the question without requiring the user to navigate to the actual question page for the question. Such a message may be communicated to a user via email, enabling the recipient to quickly provide an answer without navigating directly to the question-and-answer service.

Skilled artisans will recognize that the methods and user interfaces presented herein are presented as specific examples of how the inventive concepts may be implemented. However, methods and user interfaces that differ from the specific examples presented herein may be consistent with the general scope and spirit of the inventive concepts. Particularly, the order in which certain method operations occur may vary from the examples presented herein without departing from the scope and spirit of the inventive concepts Similarly, a wide variety of user interface elements different from those presented herein may be used to implement the inventive concepts described herein.

The various operations of example methods described herein may be performed, at least partially, by one or more processors that are temporarily configured (e.g., by software) or permanently configured to perform the relevant operations. Whether temporarily or permanently configured, such processors may constitute processor-implemented modules that operate to perform one or more operations or functions. The modules or logical components referred to herein may, in some example embodiments, comprise processor-implemented modules or logic.

Similarly, the methods described herein may be at least partially processor-implemented. For example, at least some of the operations of a method may be performed by one or more processors or processor-implemented modules. The performance of certain of the operations may be distributed among the one or more processors, not only residing within a single machine, but deployed across a number of machines. In some example embodiments, the processor or processors may be located in a single location (e.g., within a home environment, an office environment or as a server farm), while in other embodiments the processors may be distributed across a number of locations.

The one or more processors may also operate to support performance of the relevant operations in a “cloud computing” environment or as a “software as a service” (SaaS). For example, at least some of the operations may be performed by a group of computers (as examples of machines including processors), these operations being accessible via a network (e.g., the Internet) and via one or more appropriate interfaces (e.g., Application Program Interfaces (APIs).)

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a machine in the form of a computer within which a set of instructions, for causing the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein, may be executed. In alternative embodiments, the machine operates as a standalone device or may be connected (e.g., networked) to other machines. In a networked deployment, the machine may operate in the capacity of a server or a client machine in server-client network environments, or as a peer machine in peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environments. The machine may be a personal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a set-top box (STB), a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a mobile telephone, a web appliance, a network router, switch or bridge, or any machine capable of executing instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. Further, while only a single machine is illustrated, the term “machine” shall also be taken to include any collection of machines that individually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein.

The example computer system 1500 includes a processor 1502 (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU) or both), a main memory 1501 and a static memory 1506, which communicate with each other via a bus 1508. The computer system 1500 may further include a display unit 1510, an alphanumeric input device 1517 (e.g., a keyboard), and a user interface (UI) navigation device 1511 (e.g., a mouse). In one embodiment, the display, input device and cursor control device are a touch screen display. The computer system 1500 may additionally include a storage device (e.g., drive unit 1516), a signal generation device 1518 (e.g., a speaker), a network interface device 1520, and one or more sensors 1521, such as a global positioning system sensor, compass, accelerometer, or other sensor.

The drive unit 1516 includes a machine-readable medium 1522 on which is stored one or more sets of instructions and data structures (e.g., software 1523) embodying or utilized by any one or more of the methodologies or functions described herein. The software 1523 may also reside, completely or at least partially, within the main memory 1501 and/or within the processor 1502 during execution thereof by the computer system 1500, the main memory 1501 and the processor 1502 also constituting machine-readable media.

While the machine-readable medium 1522 is illustrated in an example embodiment to be a single medium, the term “machine-readable medium” may include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one or more instructions. The term “machine-readable medium” shall also be taken to include any tangible medium that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying instructions for execution by the machine and that cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies of the present invention, or that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying data structures utilized by or associated with such instructions. The term “machine-readable medium” shall accordingly be taken to include, but not be limited to, solid-state memories, and optical and magnetic media. Specific examples of machine-readable media include non-volatile memory, including by way of example semiconductor memory devices, e.g., EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices; magnetic disks such as internal hard disks and removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and CD-ROM and DVD-ROM disks.

The software 1523 may further be transmitted or received over a communications network 1526 using a transmission medium via the network interface device 1520 utilizing any one of a number of well-known transfer protocols (e.g., HTTP). Examples of communication networks include a local area network (“LAN”), a wide area network (“WAN”), the Internet, mobile telephone networks, Plain Old Telephone (POTS) networks, and wireless data networks (e.g., Wi-Fi™ and WiMax™ networks). The term “transmission medium” shall be taken to include any intangible medium that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying instructions for execution by the machine, and includes digital or analog communications signals or other intangible medium to facilitate communication of such software.

FIGS. 14 through 18 illustrate user interfaces for use in methods and systems for facilitating the solicitation of an answer to a question from a user of a question-and-answer service, in accordance with some embodiments. FIG. 14 illustrates a user interface for searching for users available to answer questions. The user interface allows a requesting user to search recommended users by credential or name and to filter the users by topic and location. The user interface may present a list of recommended users to answer questions by name, location, credential, and answer history (i.e., the number of answers that user has previously provided). The user interface may further include a picture of the recommended users or an icon associated with the recommended users. The user interface may further allow the requesting user to add one or more of the recommended users from which to solicit an answer to a question. The user interface may further display how many recommended users have been selected and to see how many total requests have been made.

FIG. 15 illustrates a user interface for searching for users available to answer questions. In the user interface shown in FIG. 15, the name “Gordon Ramsay” has been entered into the search box. A list of users named “Gordon Ramsay” or having credentials or knowledge associated with “Gordon Ramsay” is presented on the user interface. The user interface may present a list of recommended users that may be helpful to answer questions related to Gordon Ramsay. The list may include an image, a name, and credentials. Credentials naming “Gordon Ramsay” may be highlighted or bolded and displayed so that the requesting user can comprehend the recommended users' association with Gordon Ramsay. The user interface may further allow the requesting user to add one or more of the recommended users from which to solicit an answer to a question.

Similarly, FIG. 16 illustrates a user interface for searching for users available to answer questions. In the user interface shown in FIG. 16, the description “foodie” has been entered into the search box. A list of users having credentials or knowledge associated with “foodie” is presented on the user interface. The user interface may present a list of recommended users that may be helpful to answer questions related to being a foodie. The list may include an image, a name, and credentials. Credentials naming “foodie” may be highlighted or bolded and displayed so that the requesting user can comprehend the recommended users' association with being a foodie. The user interface may further allow the requesting user to add one or more of the recommended users from which to solicit an answer to a question.

FIG. 17 illustrates a user interface for a recommended user available to answer questions from requesting users. The user interface shows that the recommended user has five requests for answers, 4 of which are displayed in FIG. 17. The first request shown displays the question, “What is the best Mexican restaurant in San Francisco?”. The user interface allows the recommended user to answer the question or pass on the question. The user interface further shows who the requesting user is (e.g., Ayda Akalin), an icon or picture associated with the requesting user, and the date of the request.

FIG. 18 illustrates a user interface for a requesting user to learn more about a recommended user available to answer questions. The user interface may include the name of the recommended user, an icon or photograph associated with the recommended user, a list of credentials associated with the recommended user, the recommended user's availability, an option to follow the recommended user, and the recommended user's expertise. The user interface may further include a box to allow the requesting user to pose a question to the recoemmended user.

Although an embodiment has been described with reference to specific example embodiments, it will be evident that various modifications and changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

The accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, show by way of illustration, and not of limitation, specific embodiments in which the subject matter may be practiced. The embodiments illustrated are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the teachings disclosed herein. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived therefrom, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. This Detailed Description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of various embodiments is defined only by the appended claims, along with the full range of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer-implemented method comprising: identifying a message associated with a requesting user, wherein when the message is identified, a group of recommended users are selected based on a credential and past response behavior; receiving user input associated with the requesting user, the user input identifying one or more recommended users of the group of recommended users to whom the message is to be communicated, the message including a solicitation for an answer to a question; communicating the message; and presenting a web page including the question, wherein the web page includes a notification indicating that the one or more recommended users have been solicited for an answer to the question and a number of solicitations for an answer to the question that the one or more recommended users have received.
 2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the message communicated to the one or more recommended users includes information identifying the requesting user.
 3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the notification included with the web page includes information identifying the requesting user.
 4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the notification included with the web page includes information identifying all users who have solicited the one or more recommended users for an answer to the question.
 5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising: presenting to the requesting user with information identifying one or more groups of users to whom the requesting user can direct a solicitation for an answer to the question.
 6. The computer-implemented method of claim 5, wherein the information identifying the one or more groups of users includes one or more interest groups presented in a list that is dynamically populated in real time in response to the user input associated with the requesting user, the one or more interest groups in the list matching some portion of the user input, and the receiving of the user input identifying the one or more recommended users to whom a message is to be communicated includes detecting a selection of a name in the list.
 7. The computer-implemented method of claim 5, wherein the information identifying the one or more interest groups includes one or more interest groups to whom the requesting user has a relationship.
 8. The computer-implemented method of claim 7, wherein the relationship is a unilaterally defined relationship.
 9. The computer-implemented method of claim 7, wherein the relationship is a bilaterally defined relationship.
 10. The computer-implemented method of claim 5, wherein the information identifying the one or more groups of users includes descriptions of backgrounds for groups of users to whom the requesting user can direct a solicitation for an answer to the question.
 11. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising: subsequent to communicating the message to the one or more recommended users, detecting an event indicating the one or more recommended users has passed on responding to the solicitation for an answer to the question; and communicating a message to the requesting user, the message indicating that the one or more recommended users has passed on responding to the solicitation for an answer to the question.
 12. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising: subsequent to communicating the message, detecting an event indicating the one or more recommended users have provided an answer to the question; and communicating a message to the requesting user, the message indicating that the one or more recommended users has provided an answer to the question.
 13. The computer-implemented method of claim 12, further comprising: upon detecting an event indicating the one or more recommended users has provided an answer to the question, converting the solicitation for an answer to the question to a vote by the requesting user for the answer to the question provided by the one or more recommended users.
 14. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising: subsequent to communicating the message, detecting an event indicating a recommended user from the one or more recommended users has provided an answer to the question; and communicating a message to the requesting user, the message indicating that the recommended user from the one or more recommended users has provided an answer to the question.
 15. A system comprising: one or more processors; and a non-transitory computer-readable medium including instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations including: identifying a message associated with a requesting user, wherein when the message is identified, a group of recommended users are selected based on a credential and past response behavior; receiving user input associated with the requesting user, the user input identifying one or more recommended users of the group of recommended users to whom the message is to be communicated, the message including a solicitation for an answer to a question; communicating the message; and presenting a web page including the question, wherein the web page includes a notification indicating that the one or more recommended users have been solicited for an answer to the question and a number of solicitations for an answer to the question that the one or more recommended users have received.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the message communicated to the one or more recommended users includes information identifying the requesting user.
 17. The system of claim 15, wherein the notification included with the web page includes information identifying the requesting user.
 18. The system of claim 15, wherein the notification included with the web page includes information identifying all users who have solicited the one or more recommended users for an answer to the question.
 19. The system of claim 15, wherein the operations further include: presenting to the requesting user with information identifying one or more groups of users to whom the requesting user can direct a solicitation for an answer to the question.
 20. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations including: identifying a message associated with a requesting user, wherein when the message is identified, a group of recommended users are selected based on a credential and past response behavior; receiving user input associated with the requesting user, the user input identifying one or more recommended users of the group of recommended users to whom the message is to be communicated, the message including a solicitation for an answer to a question; communicating the message; and presenting a web page including the question, wherein the web page includes a notification indicating that the one or more recommended users have been solicited for an answer to the question and a number of solicitations for an answer to the question that the one or more recommended users have received. 